Last week, HB 99 – Social Work Licensure Interstate Compact by Representative Christine Hunschofsky (D-Parkland) passed unanimously out of its second committee, the Health Care Appropriations Subcommittee. HB 99 is now headed to the Health & Human Services Committee, its last committee stop before being sent to the House Floor for full consideration.
The Social Work Licensure Interstate Compact would allow licensed social workers who obtain a multistate license to practice in all member states. The compact would provide access to social work services, including telehealth services, in member states and grant Floridians and residents of member states increased access to a continuum of care if they relocate.
If passed into law, HB 99 would add Florida to the member states of the Social Work Licensure Interstate Compact. While the Compact is not yet in effect–as 7 states must have joined for that to be the case–joining as an early member state would give Florida a seat at the Compact’s governing commission and a bigger say in creating the rules surrounding it.
“There are so many issues in today’s society that mandate social work intervention and yet we have a shortage of people qualified to provide these services. This compact will help increase Floridians’ access to quality care and social work services”, remarked Representative Hunschofsky.
